Crushing device



E. A. CLEMETSEN ET AL 2, 7,365

Sept. 10, 1946;

" 'CRZUSHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 23, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l- INVES OR. me 3622?,

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Sept. 10, 1946 E. A. CLEMETSEN ET AL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CRUSHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 23, 1944 IN VEN A. die ZYZZ'Z x7. f/emeirezz Rm 5; Rig

Patented Sept. 10, 1946 CRUSHING DEVICE Erling A. Clemetsen and John A. Clemetsen,

Prairie View, Ill.

Application November 23, 1944, Serial No. 564,773

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a crushing device and particularly to a device for crushing fruit and vegetables in order to break down the cellular structure and reduce the same to pulp and juices. In many instances, it is desirable to provide a simple and rugged device for extracting juices and breaking down the structure of oranges, lemons and other fruits as well as vegetables, such as carrots, spinach, etc. In the case of fruits,particularly citrus fruits, it is well known that the juices thereof are highly corrosive to ordinary metals and materials. Due to the delicate flavor of many fruits, contamination with certain metals imparts an objectionable metallic taste to the fruit. Furthermore, the highly corrosive action of citrus juices on metals such as aluminum and steel results in discoloration and thus makes it difficult to maintain a clean and wholesome appearance of the article.

In addition to the above, it is essential that a device for extracting juices and crushing fruit and vegetables and used in homes be relatively inexpensive, simple, and be easy to disassemble and clean. The invention herein provides a structure which fulfills the above requirements to a remarkable degree. In addition, the structure is susceptible to the incorporation therein of such-construction materials as wood or plastic whose characteristics for kitchen use are highly desirable. The use of wood in kitchenware is particularly advantageous in that tooling costs for the manufacture thereof are comparatively small and resulting articles possess a desirable appearance and may be maintained clean in simple and effective ways.

The invention in general contemplates the use of a pair of discs tilted with respect to each other. The tilting is such that a region of wide disc separation provides a feeding region while a region of minimum disc separation provides an operating or crushing region.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, reference will now be made to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a devic embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a. fragmentary sectional elevation in a transverse vertical plane in front of'the operating shaft.

Figure 3 is a section along line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is'an end detail along line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an elevation of a modified form of crushing element.

Figure 6 is a'section on line 6--B of Figure 5.

5s. 7 Squared shaft 38 is locked in position by hav- 2 Inrthe drawings, base It) having long sides I i and short sides [2 may be provided upon which the entire structure is mounted. Base IE may carry at an intermediate portion thereof circular ring [3 for holding a glass or dish. Rising from base H) are four standards or legs l5-l8 inclusive, upon which is supported a box-like structure generally designated as 28. Box 29 may have front wall 2| and rear wall 22, the rear wall preferably being higher than the front wall. A pair of side walls 23 and 24 extend between the front and rear walls, and these side Walls are preferably inclined toward each other as shown so that a minimum separation is at the bottom thereof and a maximum separation is at the top. The'bottom of box 2|] may be covered bv plate 25 having slot 26 extending lengthwise between walls 2| and 22.

Side walls 23 and 24 have aligned journals 30 and 3| formed therethrough. It is preferred to have journal 30 larger than journal 31 for a purpose to be explained hereinafter.

Passing through aligned journals 3E! and 3! is shaft L5 having round bearing portion 36 cooperating with journal 30 and round bearing portion 31 cooperating with journal 3!. Between bearing portions 36 and 31, shaft is shaped to a non-circular section and, in its simplest form as shown here, may be shaped as squaredshaft section 38. Loosely mounted 'upon' square shaft portion 38 but rotatably locked thereto are a pair of discs 40 and 4|. Both of these discs are similar in construction and have relatively massive hub portions 43 tapering to thin peripheral portions 44. Hub 43 is, apertured at 45 so that the discs may clear square shaft 38 while tilting back and forth, In order to rotatably lock the discs on square shaft portion 38, locking member 46 maybe set in at the center of each disc. Locking member 46 consists of a thin disc having square aperture 41 therethrough corresponding to square shaft 38. Disc 46 is thin enough so that the tilting action of disc 40 or 4| is around the inner edge of disc 46. Disc 46 may be secured to discs 4|] and M in any suitable manner as by gluing or, as shown, by wood screws 50.

In order to reduce friction, it is preferred to have peripheral portion 44 of discs 49 and 4| shaped to provide rear annular flange 52, which may bear against the inside surface of side walls 23 and 24. Also the inside edge of discs 40 and 4| may be shaped to provide circular rim portions ing free end provided with circular slot 55 3 just outside of side plate 2 3. Cooperating with slot 56 is looking member 5? suitably pivoted at 58 and having operating handle 59 so that it may be swung to locking or unlocking position as desired. Rotation of shaft 35 may be accomplished by handle 58 attached thereto.

In operation, fruit or vegetables may be put between discs to and ii at the top. Handle lid is rotated preferably anti-clockwise as seen in Figure 1, so that the fruit or vegetables are moved toward the rear of the container and then downwardly. The wedging action of discs it and H effectively crushes the material to squeeze out juices and break up pulp. It is clear that the angularity and separations of discs 4% and 4| may be adjusted to suit needs. A glass supported on base it may collect the fruit and pulp or, if desired, the pulp may be prevented from passing through by suitable screenings in bottom wall 25, (Fig. 3).

To disassemble the device, locking member 57 is turned upwardly, as seen in Figure 4, to clear the slotted end of shaft 35 whereupon shaft 35 may be pulled out to release discs 40 and M.

No precise workmanship is necessary and the simplicity of the structure is such as to make it impossible for the device to get out of order unless broken.

Referring now to Figure 5,. a modification is shown wherein discs 49 and 4! may be provided with radial ribs 62 extending from Cklllg disc 45 to peripheral portion 53. Radial ribs 62 may be secured or formed in any suitable fashion and, in its simplest form, may consist of round rods secured in grooves. By virtue of ribs 62, more positive feeding of materials into the crushing region may be provided.

It is preferred to fabricate all parts out of wood with the possible exception of locking member 51, looking discs 56 and screws 50. Thus all parts may be kept clean and sanitary, and the device as a whole will have a pleasing appearance.

If desired, the line between maximum and minimum disc separation need not be vertical but may be horizontal or any intermediate position. The simplest box structure and most. effective action results from the disposition as shown.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for crushing fruit or vegetables and the like comprising a container having a screened bottom and open top, said container having two opposed sides sloping toward each other with maximum separation at the top and minimum separation at the bottom, a shaft journalled for rotation in said sloping sides, said shaft being normally'horizontal and having a non-circular shaft portion between said opposed side walls, a pair of discs loosely mounted on said shaft but rotatably locked thereto disposed. in said container, said discs having enough clearance at said shafts so that each disc may bear against the adjacent sloping side, and means for rotating said shaft whereby upon shaft rotation said discs maintain a maximum spacing at the top between opposed faces and a minimum spacing at the bottom so that edible products dropped in at-the open top of the container are crushed.

2. In a device of the class described, a container having a perforated bottom and open top and two opposed sides sloping to provide maximum separation at the top and minimum separation at the bottom of said container, a, shaft journalled for rotation in said sloping sides, said shaft being normally horizontal and having a non-circular portion between said sides, a pair of discs disposed in said container and having passages through which said shaft may extend, said discs having substantial width at said passages and said passages being large enough so that said .discs are loose on said shaft, a thin coupling member carried by each disc and shaped to rotatively lock with said shaft, and means outside of said container for rotating said shaft, each couplin member being thin enough so that each disc may bear against the opposed side wall so that with shaft rotation said discs have their opposed faces separated a maximum distance at the top and a minimum distance at the bottom.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein means are provided for locking said shaft against withdrawal, said locking means being adapted to be rendered inoperative and wherein said shaft may be readily removed from said container to permit withdrawal of said discs for cleaning.

ERLING A. CLEMETSEN. JOHN A. CLENIETSEN. 

